Saturday, March 4, 2017

As of March
17th, I’ll be gone from Facebook, and I don’t intend to return. I’ve
already deleted Twitter, Tumblr, and Snapchat. I’d leave Google, but I have an
email there. I’m also leaving Linked-in.But I will stay on select sites:Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, my blog, my website.

I’ve been contemplating this move for a long time. Facebook started
out as a neat little place to interact and start some marketing has now turned sour (the last few years especially). I’ve grown weary of the
drama, misinformation, and lack of filters.

The reality
is—my life isn’t on Facebook or any other social media site. My real life is
off line, in a world that has rain, sun, day job deadlines, dust bunny revolts,
and freshly brewed coffee. The real
world is where my stories evolve.

Online is
where my stories go to die, because I am distracted, and procrastinating on a social media site I really dislike. But why did I stay as it was?
Because I told myself I have family there, and friends I’ve made. Plus, I
really do like finding the articles about tiny homes, videos of cats behaving
badly, and following weird news headlines that are meant to intrigue—but
usually irritate me—and yet I still can’t help to click on them.

As an author
I told myself to stay because of marketing. I’m done with that.

I’m going to
find another way to do the same thing, find inspiration, and not get distracted by the chaos intentionally set within in many social media sites.

Will I miss
some of the people I know Facebook? You BET I will. But the ones who want to
stay in touch will—and those who won’t –I wish them the best.

I’ve already
stayed to long.

I need to do
things smarter, not harder.

This choice
isn’t for everyone, but since I made this determination—I’ve been at peace for
the first time in a long time.

I look
forward to the quiet—and the time to write. Maybe even have real conversations...

And I will
say this—if my other sites become too much of a distraction-I will delete them
too. I survived with Social Media for years, and was better for it.

I can feel the stories beginning to peculate…or maybe that was the cheap oriental food I heated up for dinner...

If you want to stay in touch with me-- you can sign up for my newsletter on my website, email me, follow me on Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads...etc. or hang out here.

25 comments:

I will miss you on FB. And to say it, You're Right. I too came for marketing and friendships but my books aren't selling at the rate of time I spend on there. Again, you teach a lesson and I admire you. Please keep in touch. ))) Corset Hugs((( Ginny Lynn

I believe you're right too... as a matter of fact, I highly doubt anybody would dare to disagree with you. The writers I see who are multi pub'd and successful don't post too much on FB. Others I see are branching out into teaching, editing, or other writing business branches. Yep... FB is a creativity-killer. My writing muse died by FB procrastination. And then I read an email that resurrected my muse and got me back to my Word program. I'm staying on Facebook because I have my crocheting friends there. There are patterns and lessons galore. I admire you for reclaiming your life. I'll miss you. But I know where to find you ;). Luv ya!

Hugs to you Pamela,I completely understand-- and I glad to be free of the time wasting aspect. I admit I'll miss many people--and things--but it is also freeing to me. You are one of the reasons I enjoyed FB! always a pleasure!(and I LOVE the crocheting pictures!)MV

Oh how I've wanted to do the same thing but feared that I was neglecting my responsibilities to promote my novels. All these promotion gigs ate up my precious time. The activity started because of the publishing contract I signed with the publisher - required that I spend time / money to push sales up. I wonder if the diligence to participate in promotional activity on my social media daily (more than once daily) turned into an addiction that snuck up on me. Thank you for sharing your experience. Many more writers may follow suit.

Publishing makes one afraid-- I felt the same--I *needed* to be out there, but really, I'm not getting much from it. Like you--it became too much, and now I'm taking charge. I Hope you find a way that works for you, I will cheer you onward! Freedom for writers... *grin*

Social media is definitely a time-suck, but I've learned to control it--thankfully. Facebook has limited an author's page reach so much that if it weren't for groups, I'd leave too. Best of luck to you!

I'll miss seeing your posts but will catch you on Instagram. I used to say the thing keeping me on FB was author marketing, but I'll be honest, it's also the dopamine hits from finding those rare gems among all the time-wasting posts. I may take Samhain's demise and the temporary disappearance of my books from retailer sites to take a much-needed long break.

I totally get this and support thus idea. Good for you and your writing. When I leave, which may be soon, it'll be for many reasons but it all comes down to the same core reason and that's the value of our time. Excited to see where you go from here! God bless! - mrs Tordella :-)

I am not on facebook enough to miss you there. I would have no problem with eradicating Facebook from my life. My issue with facebook is that it is overwhelming. To much input. I occasionally, never more than once a week, show up there. I rarely comment. I have to be in the right range of thought, emotion, attitude to actually comment. I have lots of friends that are on facebook but that is not where I live. I understand leaving. There are times to move on.

Yes there is, and it is time. I find facebook too much of--everything. I could list the ways. There was a time, I enjoyed it. Not any more--not even for a weekly visit.Weirdly, I am very excited to leave...it's like going on a new journey...

The Hidden Races Series

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The Story Teller

About Me

I am a writer of Urban Fantasy and romance, with a love of strong coffee and cream for late night writing. I adore dark stories with anti-heros and determined heroines. I am represented by Victoria Lea from the Aponte Literary Agency.